While skies clear in West Tennessee, the Cumberland Plateau and the eastern Tennessee River Valley expect snow.

The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning for the mountains of East Tennessee, beginning at 11 a.m. EST Thursday. Forecasters say there could be significant snow accumulations, especially in the higher elevations. Rain falling Thursday morning was expected to change over to snow as brisk northerly winds draw cold temperatures into the region.

A broad area from Crossville on the plateau and Chattanooga in the valley northward through Knoxville and the Tri-Cties was under a winter weather advisory. The NWS said snow accumulation of 1inch to 3 inches was possible, beginning in the afternoon.

Clouds were expected to begin breaking up Thursday over the western half of the state.